Taratahi helps fuel Te Aute success

BIG PICTURE: A Te Aute College student concentrates during Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre classes that are part of a remodelled curriculum at the central Hawkes Bay boarding school. PHOTO/SUPPLIED WTA140514SUPTARATAHI

Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre is helping to harvest success among students at Te Aute College in Hawkes Bay.

Te Aute College is a Maori boys boarding school that last year launched a remodelled curriculum called Toku Moemoea, or the Big Picture, which promotes a self-managed approach to teaching and learning.

The American educational philosophy comprises tailored learning plans for each student that includes English and mathematics as core elements, alongside subjects in which each student holds a natural interest.

Yvonne Way, Taratahi marketing and communications manager, said the Wairarapa centre was selected as a Toku Moemoea partner after Te Aute old boy and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples met with the Ministry of Education and sought a partnership with a specialist agricultural training provider "to ensure students would be taught the skills they needed".

She said the Board of Trustees at Te Aute College, which has a roll of 83 students from throughout New Zealand and as far afield as Australia, had found "a high proportion of their students were likely to make a career in the agricultural industry".

"Either those wanting to carry on their familys farming traditions or students who had no experience but had an interest in the industry," Ms Way said.

"The trustees wanted to make sure their students were as skilled and trained as they could be and that they had the tools they needed to succeed."

Taratahi last year launched the Primary Industry Trades Academy programme at Te Aute College, she said, in which a "staggering" 25 per cent of Te Aute students had to date enrolled.

Te Aute principal Shane Hiha praised the Taratahi model of "real training on real farms" and said the small training groups worked very well, especially for male Maori students in a boarding school environment.

"They like doing things together and when they experience success as a group their learning experience is enhanced so they become even more engaged. Its a winning cycle for everyone," he said.

"Our aim is not to push 100 per cent of our students into university. If they want to be a farm manager, go into the armed forces or sports, theyre just as important and valid career prospects."

Taratahi tutor Dave McBride leads classes with Te Aute students three times a week and said the agricultural lessons focus on theory in the classroom and practical lessons out on the farm.

"It's a great mix of being in the classroom at Te Aute and then putting the theory into practice. On-farm they get hands-on, like drenching and drafting sheep.

"Some students might struggle with maths in the classroom, but when you are on-farm and you ask them to figure out how many litres of water is needed to irrigate a paddock, and they've got their feet firmly planted in that paddock, the answers seem to come more easily for them," he said.

"Te Aute has a lot of spirit and passion to ensure their students succeed. The people here are great to work wit. They have so many of the same core values that we pride ourselves on at Taratahi, its a natural partnership that works very, very well," Mr McBride said.

"At the end of the day, nobody is an expert on everything. It makes perfect sense to come together with people and organisations that can help you be the best you can be. Its all about the students, theyre our number one priority."